Taking Action: The Future Of Huntsville Speedway

Ross Smith emailed our newsroom asking for an update on Huntsville Speedway. It shut down early last year, but promised to be up and running for the 2014 season. It has yet to open.

The racetrack has had its fair share of history and now Huntsville Speedway is trying to not become history.

“Richard Petty’s raced there, the Alabama Gang. The history’s so rich, I just hope somebody buys the place and it continues very soon,” said Chris Thornton, the voice of Huntsville Speedway.

There’s no “For Sale” sign in the yard, but owner Martin Pierce is hoping someone will buy the track so it isn’t locked up for good.

“It’s just such an incredible piece of history and local racers really need somewhere to race,” said Thornton.

At 57 years old, the Huntsville Speedway is for sale for $180,000.

It is privately funded with no financial support from the city.

Last year, Bruce Roberts took over the track with the intention to buy, but he was pulled in another direction.

He shut it down three races early, after starting the season late.

However, Roberts did leave it in better condition

“The gentleman that came in last year actually did quite a bit of remodeling to the speedway before he decided to shut it down and go back and pursue his other business interests,” said Thornton.

The 2014 season likely won’t get the green flag, but there is still hope down the road.

“Unless we get a buyer very soon, it’s not very hopeful for the 2014 season,” said Thornton. “There’s been interest from quite a few people and there are other people that are talking right now about buying the Speedway. Nobody’s wrote a check yet.”

Of all the now defunct tracks in the United States, 91 percent of them are short tracks.

Five racetracks have already been shut down in Alabama and four in Tennessee.

WHNT News 19 will continue to follow this story and as soon as a sale is made, we will update you.

Kay

Mike, are you saying the $180000. Price doesn’t include the land, just the business improvements? Wow, the speed way would have to rake in some big bucks per race to justify that price tag. No wonder there is no interest!

stephanie joseph

When people find out that the property itself is not for sale, it turns possible buyers away. The “business” is for sale, meaning the Speedway but the true “owners” of the property are only leasing it to the business for a 25 years term. And they refuse to sell it.